IJ's Cases
Featured Cases
Alaska Pilot Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Stop State from Taking His $95,000 Airplane for Passenger’s Beer
The Case April 3rd, 2012, began like any other day for Ken Jouppi, a longtime bush pilot in Alaska. He was scheduled to fly a passenger and her groceries from Fairbanks to the village of Beaver. Hidden in the passenger’s luggage, though, were two cases of Budweiser, along with four additional six-packs. They were intended as a gift to…
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U.S. Supreme Court Cases
IJ has argued 13 cases before the United States Supreme Court, winning 11. These landmark cases have expanded constitutional protections for all Americans.
Immunity and Accountability | Rule of Law
The FBI Raided the Wrong Home—the Government Refuses to Pay for the Damage
FBI agents raided the wrong home in suburban Atlanta. Now the federal government refuses to compensate the victims even though Congress passed a law permitting suits for damages caused by federal employees.
Immunity and Accountability | Rule of Law
Taking on The Shell Games That Allow Federal/State Task Force Members To Violate Your Rights
After misidentifying him as a non-violent fugitive, police brutally beat James King, choked him unconscious, and then prosecuted him to hide their mistake.
Immunity and Accountability | Rule of Law
Federal lawsuit seeks to revive the Fourth Amendment’s requirements for warrants
The Fourth Amendment requires that warrants be supported by “oath or affirmation” but that requirement means almost nothing today because of a decades old Supreme Court decision. Michael Mendenhall’s case could revive the original meaning and protect people from unreasonable searches.
All Cases
Immunity and Accountability | Rule of Law
A police officer arrested two innocent children at gunpoint. Now they are asking the Supreme Court to hold the officer accountable.
A police officer in Arkansas held two innocent children at gun point when he was supposed to be searching for an adult suspect. IJ is asking the Supreme Court to hear the family’s case and make clear that such stops are unconstitutional.
Economic Liberty | Private Property | Small and Home-Based Business | Zoning Justice Project
Mechanic Challenges City of Pasadena's Mandatory Parking Minimum
Azael Sepulveda recently purchased a new mechanic shop, but the city of Pasadena will not let him open until he provides 28 parking spaces, which he does not need. Azael has partnered with IJ to challenge is unconstitutional parking minimum.
4th Amendment Project | Business Inspections | Other Property Rights Abuses | Private Property
Small Business Owner Sues to Stop Ohio’s “Whenever, Wherever” Inspections
A taxidermist was threatened with jail time after he asked a wildlife officer to get a warrant before searching his property. With the help of IJ, he’s fighting back to protect the privacy rights of all Ohioans.
Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Class Action Lawsuit Aims to End For-Profit Prosecutions in Indiana
In Indiana, prosecutors profit off the civil forfeiture cases they prosecute, creating perverse incentives that strips Hoosiers of their basic due process rights. A federal class action lawsuit from IJ seeks to end for-profit prosecutions in Indiana.
Housing Abundance and Affordability | Private Property | Private Solutions to Public Problems | Right to Shelter | Zoning Justice Project
Georgia Nonprofit Fights City’s Ban on Small Homes
Tiny House Hand Up is a nonprofit that builds affordable tiny homes for people in Calhoun, Georgia. But the city of Calhoun’s unconstitutional ban on building tiny homes has prevented THHU from helping people in Calhoun achieve their dream of homeownership. But the organization is fighting back with IJ’s help
Economic Liberty | Fresh Start | Occupational Licensing
Aspiring Addiction Counselor Sues to End Virginia’s Past-Conviction Discrimination
Rudy Carey wants to help people overcome addiction through counseling, but Virginia has decided he cannot do so because he has a prior criminal conviction. The Constitution protects Rudy’s right to earn an honest living, which is why he has partnered with IJ to challenge Virginia’s law that bars him from doing so.
Fines and Fees | Private Property | Rule of Law
Challenging Wilmington’s tow-and-impound racket, which pays private tow companies by letting them keep and scrap cars.
Wilmington, Delaware partners with a private towing company to tow any car that has more than $200 in unpaid parking fines. The private company makes a profit and Wilmington demands excessive fines in order to get a car back. The disproportionate fines violate the due process rights of citizens, and IJ seeks to end this entire unconstitutional program.
Rule of Law | Unjust Proceedings
Family Farm Facing Ruinous Fines Sues Agency that Acts as Prosecutor, Judge and Jury
Family Farm Facing Ruinous Fines Sues Agency that Acts as Prosecutor, Judge and Jury
Economic Liberty | First Amendment | Occupational Licensing | Occupational Speech
Joshua Gray criticized the police—so they denied him an occupational license
Joshua Gray, a private investigator, wanted to expand his business into his home state of Maine. In violation of his First Amendment rights, the state denied his request for a license, because he has criticized police practices. In September of 2021, IJ asked the Supreme Court to hear Joshua’s case.
Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Nevada Cops Use Civil Forfeiture To Steal a Veteran’s Life Savings
Marine veteran Stephen Lara was left on the side of the highway in Nevada without any money, after police took his life savings without ever charging him with any wrongdoing. Stephen has teamed up with IJ to get his money back and make sure the DEA follows the rules moving forward.
4th Amendment Project | Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Class Action Lawsuit Seeks to Dismantle Houston’s Illegal and Unconstitutional Forfeiture Machine
Harris County, Texas, has an unconstitutional financial incentive for law enforcement to seize property and cash excessively without probable cause, often sweeping up innocent people in the process. Ameal Woods and Jordan Davis are two victims of this system who have joined forces with IJ to challenge this corrupt system.
Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Innocent New Orleans Man Fights the Federal Government for His Life Savings
DEA agents took Kermit Warren’s life savings from him when he was traveling to purchase a new truck for his tow truck business. They never charged Kermit with a crime. With IJ’s help, Kermit was able to challenge the forfeiture and get his money back.
Immunity and Accountability | Rule of Law
Byrd v. Lamb
When police violate the rights of Americans, as they did to Kevin Byrd and Hamdi Mahmoud, they should be held accountable. IJ is asking the Supreme Court to take both of these cases and ensure Americans have an avenue to hold law enforcement accountable.
Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Indiana Forfeiture Defense Appeal
The state of Indiana is attempting to make Terry Abbott win back his seized money in court without a lawyer. However, IJ has stepped in to defend Terry on appeal and is urging the court to deny the government’s request.
Economic Liberty | First Amendment | Occupational Licensing | Occupational Speech
North Carolina Board Tells Retired Engineer He Can’t Talk About Engineering
Wayne Nutt is a retired engineer who still talks about engineering and wanted to testify as an expert witness in a case that involved engineering issues. The state of North Carolina argued Wayne’s testimony was illegal because he didn’t have a license. This violates his First Amendment rights, which is why Wayne is working with IJ to fight back.
Educational Choice
Kentucky Families Fight to Defend the State’s Bold New School Choice Program
In March 2021, Kentucky created a school choice program that benefits thousands of low-and-middle-income families throughout the state. Just a few months later, a lawsuit attacked the program. IJ has intervened on behalf of two families to defend the program and the quality education it offers.
4th Amendment Project | Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Security Deposit Box Owners Demand FBI Return Property Seized Without a Warrant
FBI agents broke into hundreds of private security deposit box without warrants. Holding government officials accountable for violating Fourth Amendment rights is crucial to ensure similar abuses don’t occur in the future.
4th Amendment Project | Private Property | Rental Inspections
Orange City, Iowa, Rental Inspections
Landlords and tenants in Orange City, Iowa are forced to open their doors to government officials without a warrant, simply because the property is a rental. This intrusive rule violates the Fourth Amendment, and that’s why a group of tenants have joined forces with IJ to fight back against this unconstitutional rental inspection ordinance.
Economic Liberty | Vending
Food-Truck Owners Battle City’s Anti-Competitive Ordinance
Tarpon Springs, Florida bans food trucks from operating in the downtown area, unless the owner also has a brick-and-mortar restaurant. The owners of one food truck are working with IJ to fight for their right to earn an honest living.
Economic Liberty | Eminent Domain | Private Property
Family-Owned Hardware Store Sues Long Island Town Trying to Take Away their Property
The Brinkmann family owns hardware stores in Long Island and purchased property with the hope of opening a new store. The town now wants to take the land through eminent domain, simply because they don’t want another store. With the help of IJ, the Brinkmanns are fighting back against this unconstitutional tactic.